Top 10 rarest and most expensive teas in the world

Most of us start our day with a cup of tea. And he cannot imagine a single day without drinking at least a few cups. If you are a tea lover, then perhaps you don't settle for just any tea, but are always on the lookout for the best. You check the quality of the leaves, how strong they are, what flavor they offer, and then choose the best, even if you have to pay a little more. While even this small premium may not have been more than a few dollars, you would be surprised to know that there are teas that sell for a very, very high price. They are rare and very expensive, and we will find out about 10 of these teas right away.

This is the top 10 most expensive and rarest tea in the world.

10. Tianchi Flower Tea

Although this is the cheapest tea on this list, it is very famous not only in its place of cultivation, China, but throughout the world. This is one of the healthiest teas you will ever find. It is also popular due to its healing properties. Teinchi flower tea can be used to treat various ailments such as insomnia and allergies and also has excellent detoxifying properties. Its taste is very similar to the taste of tender broccoli florets. Each 1 kg of tea costs $170.

9. Gyokuro

Gyokuro is a type of green tea, an exotic variety with a pleasant jade hue. Typical of the Uji region of Japan, gyokuro is prepared without chopping the leaves. The tea has a sweet taste and distinct aroma and is grown in the shade. Preparation for harvesting takes about 2-3 weeks, and each 1 kg costs $650.

8. Pu-Pu-Pu-Er tea

This tea comes from the Yunnan province of China. In addition, it contains insect excrement, which is carefully collected by tea pickers. Although you may be puzzled and it may sound crazy, the fact is that this “black” tea tastes good and is known all over the world for its healing properties. If you're wondering how much tea containing insect droppings might cost, think again as it costs $1,000 per kg.

7. Imperial Tea Silver Tips

This tea is the most expensive tea ever produced in Darjeeling. It is harvested in Darjeeling, West Bengal, at the Makaibari tea estate, which is owned by a company known as Luxmi Tea. Luxmi Tea is the first tea plantation in the world. The tea has a wonderful taste, excellent aroma and, although it was sold at its high, but usual price of 400 dollars per kg. In 2014, three buyers from the US, UK and Japan purchased this expensive tea for an even higher price of $1,850.

6. Tieguanyin

This is oolong tea, collected in China and named after the goddess of mercy Guanyin. There are two legends associated with Tieguanyin. One of them is dedicated to the devotion of Wei, a poor peasant, to the goddess Guanyin. And how he was rewarded with a tea party. After he planted the sprout and it began to grow, not only Wei's fate changed, but also the fate of the entire village. The next story is about Wang, a scientist who discovered a plant under the Guanyin Rock. He gave this tea bush to Emperor Quilong, after which it became known as Guanyin tea. The best variety of Guanyin tea can cost up to $3,000 per kg.

5. Yellow gold tea buds

This tea is called so expensive because the leaves are covered with real 24-karat gold. This is an extremely rare variety of tea, as it is only harvested in one specific place and only on one day a year. When the leaves open, the prepared tea takes on a golden hue and is considered healthy. The only place where you can find this tea is in Singapore. And this is quite naturally expensive and will cost you $3000 per kg.

4. Narcissus Wuyi Vintage Oolong Tea

This Oolong tea is named after the popular Greek mythological character Narcissus. And it is grown in the Wuyi Mountains. It oxidizes to around 60% and tastes better with age. To prevent aged tea from spoiling, it is fired every two years, which helps dry out excess moisture. All thanks to its exquisite flavors including flowers, chocolate and wood, this tea is very expensive and will cost you $6,500 per kg.

3. Panda dung tea

The harvest season for perhaps the most unusual and most expensive tea in the world begins in China. Panda dung tea is such an example. Found in the Sichuan province of China, Panda Dung tea sells for $70,000 per kg. It received this name because the tea plant uses panda excrement as fertilizer. Yanshi, an artist, was the first to grow this tea and holds the copyright for its production. When it first officially hit the market in 2012, it was considered the most expensive tea in the world.

2. Da Hong Pao Tea

This is a special tea because it is royal tea. It is grown in the Wuyi Mountains of China. It is considered part of the oolong family and became popular when people learned of its healing properties after it helped cure an ailing Ming Dynasty ruler. The king was so impressed that he ordered that all Da Hong Pao bushes be covered with red royal robes. That's why this tea is also known as Imperial Red Robe and sells for $1.2 million per kg.

1. Diamond Tea Bags from PG Tips

Popular British business PG Tips introduced this tea in 2005. Approximately 2 grams of the popular Silver Tips Imperial tea is included in each tea bag, created by the famous Boodles Jewellers. In addition, each of these bags contains 280 diamonds of the highest quality. Hence the exorbitant price - $15,000. You might also be interested in seeing the list of the top ten most expensive useless items.

Even if you manage to try any of the teas mentioned in this list, consider yourself very lucky as you are sipping on a cup of something that is not only expensive, but also very rare. Be sure to savor every sip as only a lucky few get to taste such exquisite things.